Recommendations on Policing in Multi-Ethnic Societies 2. States will need to ensure that the police and the general public, including minorities, understand the role of the police in promoting good inter-ethnic relations. They will also need to ensure that the police are tasked and equipped to carry this role out. Political and police leaders should publicly state their support for this role, and promote understanding and support for it generally among the public. Implementation of policies designed to strengthen the capacity of police to promote good inter-ethnic relations is not simply a technical exercise but involves a change in police culture. It requires understanding and commitment on the part of policy makers, and of police at all levels in the organization. The established culture within the police organization may not be sympathetic to addressing these issues: it may indeed be hostile to them, and may also be generally resistant to change. Moreover, police may see themselves (consciously or unconsciously) as representing the dominant ethnic group, and as protecting its interests, and may therefore view such policies as an unwelcome threat. It is important to recognize that exploitative treatment of particular ethnic groups, like the practice of demanding bribes from vulnerable ethnic groups, is a form of police corruption which is not only contrary to international law and human rights, but also seriously undermines the capability of the police to promote good inter-ethnic relations. It is therefore essential that political leaders ensure that senior police officials fully understand the importance of their role in promoting good inter-ethnic relations, and are fully committed to implementing it. Their role involves not only promoting good ethnic relations externally, but also internally within the police organization, including ensuring that discrimination on ethnic or related grounds does not take place (or if it does, is dealt with effectively). Police leaders in turn need to ensure that all police personnel - in all regions, all specialisms and all ranks in the hierarchy - also appreciate this role, and its implication for their everyday practice. Clear statements of support for this role therefore need to be made by police leaders at all levels, and it should be emphasized in all training. Actions which undermine this role, which favour particular ethnic groups, or which exploit, discriminate against or express hostility towards minorities, should not be tolerated. Both policy makers and police leaders need to work towards establishing a culture in the police organization that welcomes and respects ethnic diversity both internally and externally, and in which police see themselves as positive agents and role models for creating a successful multi-ethnic society (see also under Recommendation 7). 11